Man Utd suffer huge transfer blow in bid to sign Alejandro Balde as he gives Barcelona update on future

MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a blow in their pursuit of Alejandro Balde after the left-back reportedly opted to stay at Barcelona. The Red Devils are said to be eyeing up Balde as a top left-back option as they look to find a long-term successor to Luke Shaw. Manchester United target Alejandro Balde reportedly wants to stay at Barcelona Credit: Alamy The news is a blow to United boss Michael Carrick and his hopes of finding a new left-back Credit: Getty United are also keen on Newcastle’s Lewis Hall but the Magpies are reluctant to sell. Toon boss Matthias Jaissle even said there was “no chance” of Hall moving to Old Trafford. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! United had been encouraged over a possible deal for Balde, however, after he was left out of Barcelona‘s 5-0 opening day romp at Elche. His manager Hansi Flick said the player was “not 100 per cent ready” and needed to “sort out his thoughts” before returning to the side. But now it appears United have received another transfer setback after Fabrizio Romano said Balde was set to stay at the Nou Camp. The report says the youngster has told Barca he wants to compete for his place in the team. And it claims only a “big proposal” from a major side would change the situation before deadline day. United fans were excited about the prospect of signing Balde in recent days. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK They joked it would have given Barcelona “a taste of their own medicine” after loaning Marcus Rashford but declining to sign him permanently. Some suggested United should “take Balde on loan, use him for a season, and send him right back to Barcelona”. Balde has been with the Catalan giants since joining their youth system in 2011 aged eight. He recently spoke about his future but said he wasn’t thinking about any of the speculation linking him with an exit. Balde said: “The team is in good shape, it’s been a different pre-season because the World Cup players have come back afterwards. United are also keen on Newcastle defender Lewis Hall Credit: Shutterstock Editorial “The team is fine, physically, very well. “I’m a very quiet guy. I know there’s a lot of talk, but I think I’m doing things right. “I don’t look at the press, but it’s inevitable that it will come. I think I have to focus on myself and my work and things come.” The Spain international made 21 starts in the Spanish top flight under Hansi Flick last season. He featured a total of 42 times overall but will now compete for a spot with Joao Cancelo and Gerard Martin. Comment now